Can There Be Another Testament of Jesus Christ?

The Bible is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains the writings of the ancient Hebrews, documenting their history, the history of the nation of Israel and the fundamentals of the religion which today is known as Judaism. The New Testament is made up of the writings of the early Christians, documenting the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as well as the teachings of early Christian leaders.

According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, these are not the only two Testaments. There is to them another Testament, another Testament of Jesus Christ to be exact. This Testament they believe is the Book of Mormon, which Mormons believe was discovered and translated by the founder of the LDS Church, Joseph Smith.

Before we can even ask if the Book of Mormon really is another Testament of Jesus Christ, we must first ask ourselves "Can there be another Testament of Jesus Christ?" The answer to this question hinges on the definition of the word Testament itself.

We often don't think much about what a Testament really is. There is the Old Testament and there is the New Testament, it seems pretty straight forward. But just how did they come to get those names? Is it like a last will and testament?

From Mormons I have spoken to, Testament in terms of "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" is generally defined as referring to testimony or statement of belief: something rather in keeping with most modern uses of the word. However, the Biblical Old and New Testaments have been so named for a very long time, and to understand their meaning we must look to older meanings of the word Testament.

If we look up Testament in the dictionary, we find its archaic meaning: "a covenant between God and the human race." A holy promise, a holy contract entered into between God and the people of the world.